Quality phones of the year. Best Android Smartphones (2016)

Every year, smartphone companies hold a presentation of their new product before launching sales. Every company has flagships—phones that sell best and have the most functionality. Every year, the innovative technologies used in smartphones become more sophisticated to please the sophisticated user, anticipating all expectations.

The best phones of 2016 share similarities in display size and average performance, but each has its own "something innovative" that makes each one of the top 2016 flagships.

1. Samsung Galaxy S7

The time difference between the announcement of the model and its going on sale was minimal—one and a half months. The Samsung Galaxy S7 could be purchased at the end of March 2016.

Galaxy S7 is the leader among flagship phones of 2016 both in functionality and in external design. S7 has the most complete package of functionality, many times exceeding the capabilities of the latest new product from Apple 6S.

The octa-core Samsung Exynos 8890 processor, coupled with an enhanced graphics accelerator and 4 GB RAM, allows the phone to process data at impeccable speed, be it gaming applications or video streaming.

slot for 2 Sim cards, which is quite rare for phone models of this class;
ability to use SD card up to 200 GB;
increased battery capacity: 3000 mAh in S7 and 3600 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge version;
the camera, in comparison with the previous S6 model, has not undergone any moderation in terms of megapixels (12 megapixels for the main one and 5 megapixels for the front one), but stabilization, focusing with “Dual pixel” and light sensitivity have been improved, which contributes to excellent and high-quality pictures at any time of the day;
protection against dust and water, which gives the gadget 30 minutes of life under water without further failure;
"always on display" — new feature, which is so often missing in the phone. All important information- time, date, weather, dollar exchange rate, etc. — constantly on the screen. This will not affect the “battery consumption”, but on the contrary, will reduce energy consumption, since there is no longer a need to activate the display to view this information;
fast and wireless charging;
the ability to use virtual reality glasses, a fitness bracelet, and other accessories from Samsung with the phone.

The price of the Samsung Galaxy S7 is quite high (from 47 thousand rubles), but when choosing a phone of this class and price category, you should pay special attention to the “stuff” and functionality that make the Galaxy S7 a leader among mobile devices.

2. Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 7 was presented quite recently and is already on sale. Powerful parameters elevate the new model to the lists of the best phones of 2016.

Apple iPhone 7, framed by its ideal case, has:

4.7-inch screen - iPhone 7; 5.75″ – iPhone 7 Plus/Pro;
RAM 2 and 3 GB in 7 and 7 PRO, respectively
in addition to the standard volumes of internal memory of 32 and 128 GB, you can add a capacity of 256 GB to choose from;
cameras in phones will remain the same, with improved light sensitivity, plus everything will appear dual camera, which will allow photo/video shooting with an expanded viewing angle;
Apple A 10 processor;
iOS 10, which was also released;
no headphone jack;
sapphire glass;
waterproofness of the phone case.

The price of an iPhone has always been within the cost of equivalent Samsung products and starts from 57 thousand rubles for the 7, and from 67 thousand for the 7 Plus. So the eternal question of the buyer is “what to choose: iOS or Android, App store or PlayMarket, etc.?” - it will remain without a specific answer.

3. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Closes the top three mobile devices in 2016 Sony Xperia Z5 Premium - new phone from Sony with an innovative display. The 5.5-inch screen has not the usual Full HD resolution for almost all modern models, but a new 4K Ultra HD, which displays 3840x2160 pixels, which is a very high figure for a mobile phone.

In addition to a bright, colorful and rich display, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Dual was equipped with a 23 megapixel camera with eight times zoom. This is a great option for those looking for a phone with the best camera.

The “filling” of the Z5 Premium is quite powerful: 8 cores, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB built-in memory and a slot for SD cards with a capacity of up to 200 GB, a fairly capacious 3430 mAh battery and a stylish minimalist design of a metal and glass case with additional moisture /dustproof coating.

The price for this phone model ranges from 36,500 to 60,000 rubles.

4. LG G5

LG has taken things a step further with the new G5, making it one of the best phones this year. New body materials - aluminum and fourth-generation Gorilla glass - have reduced the weight of the phone to 157 grams, despite the rather large 5.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2560x1140 pixels. At the same time, there is also a slot for 2 SIM cards and SD cards with support for up to 2 TB.

The 16 megapixel camera with a wide viewing angle has laser autofocus and an improved stabilization system. Like the Galaxy S7, the LG G5 was equipped with the “always on” function.

The G5 has 3 GB of RAM with a quad-core processor, and 32 GB of internal memory.

The new phone from LG is “stuffed” with all kinds of sensors and navigation modules. But the big minus is that the battery is only 2800 mAh, which will amount to no more than 12 hours of real, active use before the battery is completely discharged. But, given that the phone is “modular”, it will not be difficult to replace the removable battery and continue working.

On the LG G5, the price starts at 39,990, which can be justified by a good camera and a removable modular battery.

5. HTC One M10

HTC One M10 is a long-awaited phone for fans of the HTC line. All the shortcomings have been removed and the inconvenient “Home” button is implemented differently in the new model. Under the all-metal body and 3rd generation Gorilla glass there are 4 cores with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 processor, 32 GB of internal memory (of which, unfortunately, only 23 are available, since the rest is occupied by the system), a slot for an SD card with a capacity of up to 2048 GB and, of course, a fairly capacious battery that will last for 27 hours of talk time.

The camera deserves special attention, as it is one of the few phones that allows you to take images in RAW format, having only 12 megapixels, but with laser autofocus and stabilization.

HTC One M10 has a fast charging system and a capacious 3000 mAh battery can be fully charged in a matter of minutes.

According to user reviews, although the model is not moisture resistant, it is considered “indestructible” due to its all-metal body. All these parameters make the HTC One M10 one of the best phones for 2016.

For HTC One M10, the price varies from 38,000 to 47,000 depending on the selected volume internal memory 32 or 64 GB. If you are a fan of the RAW format, then 64 GB will be relevant, since the files are in this format take up a lot of space.

6. Nokia Lumia 950 XL

Nokia Lumia 950 XL is the largest phone (PhabletPhone) among its family. Alternative to iOS and Android - Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile. The Lumia 950 XL was the best phone this year for Microsoft lovers.

The advantages are: using Windows 10 and easy synchronization of the phone and data of multitasking office PC software, which has not yet been fully implemented in either iOS or Android.

The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 8 cores (64 bits) and 3GB RAM contributes to fast work phone even in multitasking mode. The 5.7″ (WQHD) touch display with a resolution of 2560×1440 produces rich images that can be captured with the 20 megapixel main camera or the 5 megapixel front camera. The removable 3,340mAh battery is definitely a plus, but Microsoft claims the 950 XL will offer up to 75 hours of talk time.

7. Xiaomi Mi 5

In seventh position in the list of the best phones for 2016 is Xiaomi Mi 5. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor (MSM8996) in combination with 4 GB of RAM and the Adreno 530 GPU accelerator give this device a fairly powerful “stuffing”.

The 16 megapixel camera has focusing and optical image stabilization, plus a wide range useful settings and presets. The front/front camera has 4 megapixels, which is also not bad for a flagship.

The 3000 mAh battery may not be quite capacious for a gadget of this class, but the “fast charging” function can return the battery to a full charge in just an hour.

The software has a proprietary shell Xiaomi MiUi, claiming its design and style on Apple's iOS.

Xiomi Mi 5 can be purchased with different amounts of internal memory (16/32/64/128 GB) and the price, accordingly, will vary depending on this parameter. In any case, the flagship from Xiaomi with 32 GB costs 2 times cheaper than its competitors, having the same functionality and, so loved by everyone, a laconic and even strict design.

8.Huawei P9

The 5.2-inch screen with a resolution of 1920×1080 is covered with 4th generation Gorilla glass. Hidden inside the Huawei P9 is an eight-core Huawei Kirin 955 processor with a graphics accelerator and 3 GB of RAM.

Quite a powerful combination, but the main thing about this phone is the cameras: there are two of them of 12 MP on the front side and one of them on the front of 8 MP. Any Huawei P9 review demonstrates high-quality photographs and videos. This phone is a photographer's dream!

The built-in memory of Huawei P9 is 32 GB, but it is possible to expand the memory with an SD card up to 128 GB. Strict design, high-performance hardware, a non-standard approach to cameras - creates a pleasant impression of the phone, taking into account the fact that for Huawei P9 the price starts from 30,000 rubles, depending on the amount of built-in memory and the selected version of Huawei P9/Huawei P9 Plus.

9. ASUS Z1 Titan

ASUS Z1 Titan - a new product on the market of the most popular mobile phones, expected by millions! Manufacturers intended to create a smartphone that would be close in functionality to a PC, but on Lollipop (Android 5.1).

A gaming smartphone as intended, the ASUS Z1 Titan smartphone has 4 speakers for high-quality sound and an ergonomic design for a comfortable fit in the user’s hands. Inside the ASUS Z1 Titan there is as much as 6 GB of RAM coupled with 8 Snapdragon 830 cores. Photo/video materials taken on the main 16 megapixel or 5 megapixel front camera are reproduced on a Super AMOLED screen with a size of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels . The display is covered with Gorilla Glass of the new 5th generation. The release date of the model was scheduled for August 8, 2016.

10. Lenovo P90 Pro

2016 brought us many interesting smartphones. In this selection we have collected the best representatives of the mobile market.

The list will start with the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, presented back in March at Mobile World Congress 2016.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

After the success of the Galaxy S6 with a new design, Samsung decided to release almost the same flagship, but took into account some important comments from users by returning the microSD card slot and IP68 water resistance. Both devices received a glass body with a metal frame and an enlarged camera module. The only serious and noticeable difference between the Galaxy S7 Edge and the S7 is the curved display on the sides and a larger screen diagonal (5.5 inches versus 5.1).

Otherwise, the characteristics are the same: Quad HD resolution Super AMOLED display covered with protective glass Gorilla Glass 4, 8-core Exynos 8890 processor with a clock frequency of 2.3 GHz (4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 with a frequency of 2.15 GHz in the American model ), 4 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal memory, 12-megapixel main camera and 5-megapixel front camera, as well as a 3000 mAh battery (3600 in S7 Edge).

Separately, it is worth noting the camera, which has been recognized as the best more than once mobile camera and in many cases even beats the iPhone 7. Galaxy review S7, Galaxy S7 Edge - .

Price (about 42,000 rubles for Galaxy S7 and 50,000 rubles for S7 Edge).

chic design;
high performance;
excellent camera;
IP68 protection;
bright and clear display.

Not everyone likes the proprietary TouchWiz interface.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL

The first smartphones, completely developed by Google, turned out quite well. Undoubtedly, these are the fastest Android smartphones on the market, let down only by the high price and mediocre battery life. In addition, the Pixel's design is unusual and recognizable, but it won't appeal to everyone.

One of the main advantages of Pixel is the built-in voice assistant Google Assistant, which is still in its development stage, but is already surprising with its capabilities. If previously Google Now could only perform basic functions, such as setting a reminder, turning off Wi-Fi or searching the Internet, now Assistant has become much smarter and can fully compete with Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana. Google also updated appearance Android. Detailed review Pixel Launcher.

At the presentation, the company said that the Google Pixel camera is the best on the smartphone market. Although using digital stabilization instead of electronic stabilization is a controversial decision, photos and videos are obtained at the level of the Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7, and sometimes especially when it comes to detail.

The regular Pixel is distinguished from the Pixel XL by a smaller screen diagonal (5 inches versus 5.5 for the XL version), Full HD resolution instead of Quad HD in the older version and a 2770 mAh battery, while the Pixel XL has a capacity of 3450 mAh. The rest of the specifications are identical: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor with a frequency of 2.15 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 32/64 GB built-in without expandability, 12-megapixel main camera and 8-megapixel front camera.

Price: about 50,000 rubles (Google Pixel), 70,000 rubles (Google Pixel Xl).

best performance among Android smartphones;
excellent display;
one of the best mobile cameras;
unusual design.

inadequate moisture protection according to IP53 standard;
low time battery life.

, became the first smartphone from a third-party manufacturer (not Google) with Android 7.0 Nougat on board.

The main feature of the LG V20 is the small screen located above the main 5.7-inch display. It shows missed calls and notifications or can display the user's own message, up to 24 characters long. This time LG added a few more new ones useful functions, for example, the ability to place icons quick access or search string. The company also stated that additional screen became 50% brighter than its predecessor.

Another interesting feature of the smartphone is optical image stabilization from Qualcomm called Steady Record 2.0. It is a real-time electronic image stabilization system based on gyroscope data and frame flow analysis.

LG V20 runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, has a 5.7-inch QHD screen, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal expandable memory, two main cameras: 16-megapixel and 8-megapixel with a wider viewing angle. The battery capacity was 3200 mAh. There is also support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.

Price: about 45,000 rubles.

additional screen;
high-quality main display;
top specifications;
removable battery with support for Quick Charge 3.0;

lack of protection from dust and moisture;
controversial design.

HTC 10

A unique feature of the NTS 10 is that it is the first Android smartphone with native support for Apple's proprietary AirPlay streaming standard. Despite the fact that the NTS company is experiencing serious difficulties, the 2016 flagship, unlike last year’s M9, turned out to be capable of competing with the leading players in the market.

HTC 10 received a 5.2-inch QHD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, a 12-megapixel main camera of mediocre quality and a 5-megapixel front camera, as well as a 3000 mAh battery.

Price: about 35,000 - 38,000 rubles.

interesting design;
top characteristics;
excellent sound;
high quality display.

Not the best camera compared to its competitors.

Traditionally, with the beginning of each new quarter, Sony introduces a new flagship, which is practically no different from the previous one. So in September it was with a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 3 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal expandable memory, 23-megapixel main and 13-megapixel front cameras, as well as a 2900 mAh battery. It is worth noting that the smartphone display supports X-Reality Engine technology.

Price: about 45,000 - 50,000 rubles.

premium design;
excellent image stabilization, carried over from the A7 II DSLR;
laser autofocus and hybrid autofocus that predicts subject movements;
protection according to IP65/68 standard.

small battery capacity;
overpriced;
heavy weight

The Chinese company releases new smartphones almost every month. Basically, they are not fundamentally different from each other in terms of design, but the Mi Mix has made a difference thanks to its edge-to-edge display.

It’s worth noting right away that the device only conditionally does not have frames; in fact, they are, but very thin. Maximum narrowing of the frames made it possible to achieve body sizes comparable to the Nexus 6P, which has a diagonal of 5.7 inches.

Mi Mix looks very impressive and unusual; the body is made of ceramic. The combination of a huge 6.4-inch edge-to-edge display and a ceramic back panel leaves questions about the smartphone's shock resistance. Many people are also interested in the question random clicks, however, according to user reviews, there is no such problem.

As for the characteristics, Xiaomi Mi Mix is equipped with the latest fashion: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4/6 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of internal memory, 6.4-inch screen with a resolution of 2040x1080 pixels, 16-megapixel main and 5-megapixel front cameras and 4400 mAh battery.

Price: about 65,000 rubles.

luxurious and truly unique design;
thin frames around the screen;
top filling;
good autonomy.

high price;
not the best photo quality;
heavy weight (209 grams).

The original Xiaomi Mi5 was introduced in April 2016, and since then the market has changed a bit. Although this is a fairly successful year for Xiaomi, largely thanks to budget smartphones Redmi line, having a current flagship is always good.

Mi5s Plus is very similar to Mi5 and has similar specifications. The device received a 5.7-inch Full HD display, a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4/64 GB or 6/128 GB of memory, a dual 13-megapixel camera and a 4-megapixel front camera, as well as a 3800 mAh battery.

Separately, it is worth noting the camera system, which works on the same principle as in the Huawei P9 - one module shoots in color mode, the other in monochrome. In addition, the smartphone can capture images from two cameras at once and then combine the image.

Price: about 26,000 - 30,000 rubles.

excellent autonomy;
affordable price;
dual camera;
bright display.

not very loud speaker;
Not the best video quality in low light conditions;
The display is not very scratch resistant.

Moto Z Play

One of the highlights of 2016 was the Moto Z Play, all thanks to its replaceable modules. With just a flick of the wrist, you can turn your smartphone into a great camera, music player, or even a projector. But there is a problem - all this is very expensive.

In terms of specifications, the Moto has a 5.5-inch screen with Full HD resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory with expandability, 16-megapixel main and 5-megapixel front cameras, 3510 mAh battery.

Price: about 16,000 - 19,000 rubles.

unusual modular accessories;
unusual design;
relatively low price.

lack of protection from moisture;
not the most powerful processor;
Not an impressive camera.

OnePlus 3T turned out to be very unexpected, but quite . The device still has an all-metal body, a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 6 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB of internal memory without microSD support, a 16-megapixel main and 8-megapixel front camera, as well as a 3400 mAh battery.

Essentially, this is the same OnePlus 3, but with an updated chipset and increased battery capacity; all other specifications remain unchanged.

The lack of support for memory cards and not very good battery life make you think about the advisability of the purchase, however, in general, the OnePlus 3T is worth the money.

Price: about 30,000 - 35,000 rubles.

premium metal design;
top filling;
excellent main camera;
attractive reasonable price.

no microSD support;
autonomy is still at an average level.

LeEco Le Pro 3

LeEco, like many other Chinese brands, is famous for selling smartphones at half the price. It is noteworthy that Le Pro 3 lacks a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is still atypical for smartphones. In general, the design of the device does not stand out in any way. Looking at the smartphone, you can immediately notice that it has ugly black frames around the screen, like the Xiaomi Mi5.

AndroidAuthority named the best Android smartphone of 2016. Who topped the objective ranking of the best Android smartphones? Who did users vote for?

If you're into smartphones, you often have to answer questions from family, friends, and work colleagues about which phone to choose, which device has the fastest processor, the best camera, or the most durable battery. AndroidAuthority has identified the best Android smartphone of 2016 and offered its own answers to all these questions.

All title contenders "Best Android smartphone of 2016"- the latest flagships of eminent and young manufacturers - were subjected to a series of tests. During testing, the key characteristics of each phone were assessed: picture quality on the display, battery autonomy and charging speed, photo quality, sound in headphones and from speakers. To identify the winner in the “Performance” category, applicants were tested in all popular benchmarks.

The list of the best Android smartphones of 2016 that participated in the championship race looks like this:

How was the best Android smartphone determined?

To determine the best Android smartphone, AndroidAuthority experts compiled an intermediate rating after each stage of testing (best display, best camera, performance, sound, battery). The category winner received 10 points, the silver medalist received 9, and then down the list. Then the points scored by smartphones were summed up and the average score was calculated. The owner of the maximum average score and received the title “Best Android Smartphone of 2016”!

The best Android smartphone of 2016... OnePlus 3T!

After the not-so-successful OnePlus 2, the developers worked thoroughly on the bugs and created the excellent OnePlus 3. Then they took another step forward: they installed the best chipset available today, pumped up the battery a little, thanks to which they improved an already cool phone.

The OnePlus 3T performed outstandingly in benchmarks and battery tests. In the “Display”, “Sound” and “Camera” categories, the best Android smartphone of 2016 failed to take first place, but it confidently remained in the top five. As a result, the final first place, and this at a cost that is approximately 30% lower prices of the closest competitors!

So, OnePlus 3T fully justified its nickname “flagship killer”. The most powerful processor in tandem with 6 GB of RAM did their job: if performance and battery life are important to you, you won’t find a better Android smartphone. Especially in terms of price/quality ratio!

TOP best Android smartphones: incentive prizes

The OnePlus 3T is a real winner, but that doesn't mean it's time to write off other phones. Each model from the TOP best Android smartphones has strengths that allow it to lead in one category or another.

Google Pixel XL

The first phone “made by Google” is guaranteed to receive all the latest Android updates among the first, and without any add-ons or “proprietary” shells. It's also worth noting the excellent low-light image quality, which earns the Pixel XL an honorable mention.

Huawei Mate 9

The latest flagship of the company from the Middle Kingdom is equipped with an excellent Kirin 960 processor, which, in combination with a 4000 mAh battery and Full HD display, provides Mate 9 with an unconditional victory in the “Battery” category and a confident second place in the “Performance” rating. Without any stretch of the imagination, Huawei Mate 9 can be called one of the best Android smartphones of 2016.

ZTE Axon 7

Fourth place in the “Performance” rating, second in “Battery” and stable good grades In display tests, the Axon 7 proves that you don't have to pay big money for a Snapdragon 820 processor, a QHD screen and a powerful battery. And since the cost of the ZTE Axon 7 differs little from the champion OnePlus 3T, it can be called one of the best Android smartphones of 2016 in terms of price/quality ratio.

Rating of the best Android smartphones: Audience Award

Rating best smartphones from Android Authority is based on an objective assessment of key characteristics, but each user has personal preferences and likes, specific wishes and requirements. Therefore, AndroidAuthority specialists decided to go further and invited people to choose best phone by open voting method.

Interestingly, the voting results differ from the “official” results, but the winner of the ranking of the best Android smartphones is the same - OnePlus 3T. More than 1,000 users voted for it, and the full “audience rating” is as follows:

Rating of the best Android smartphones. User voting

	Smartphone	Total votes	%
1	OnePlus 3T	1207	30%
2	Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge	1088	27%
3	Google Pixel XL	474	12%
4	Sony Xperia XZ	224	6%
5	LG V20	206	5%
6	HTC 10	202	5%
6	ZTE Axon 7	202	5%
8	Huawei Mate 9	193	5%
9	Xiaomi Mi 5	169	4%
10	Lenovo Moto Z Force Droid	92	2%

If you agree or disagree with the proposed ratings, please express your opinion. Leave comments under the article, join the discussion in the group

This “Best Smartphone of 2016” ranking will present the top 10 best smartphones for the summer of 2016. The “Best Smartphone of 2016” rating was compiled based on customer reviews from Russia’s largest online stores. Only those smartphone models that scored at least 50% of fives on a five-point scale were rated. Were taken into account technical specifications smartphones and price/quality ratio.

In the TOP 10 ranking of the best smartphone of 2016, Microsoft Lumia 950 XL takes 10th place.

Lumia 950 XL is a top-end Windows smartphone from the world famous company Microsoft. The model is an enlarged modification of the 2015 flagship with a larger screen diagonal. Lumia 950 XL is a phablet equipped with a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, a pixel density of 518 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass and a light sensor. The device is armed with a powerful computing platform, which is based on an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with a frequency of 2 GHz, an Adreno 430 video chip, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, expandable using microSD memory cards. The main 20-megapixel camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, which records video in 4K resolution 3840×2160 pixels, also deserves special attention. Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is a technologically advanced Windows phablet for performing a wide range of modern tasks. The average price of Lumia 950 XL is 37,190 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 9th place

Apple iPhone 6s - updated version iPhone models 6. In this case, we can say that the changes are not only evolutionary, but also quite innovative. In addition to standard improvements to camera quality and speed, the company has developed and implemented new technology in the iPhone 6s touch screen, expanding the capabilities of device management. The display has an additional touch layer - 3D Touch, which perceives the force of touch, and now, depending on the force of pressing, it becomes available to the user additional features And context menus, as well as new gestures. In addition to this, the device body contains a Taptic Engine module, which is responsible for feedback when you tap on the screen. The heart of the smartphone is now the proprietary Apple A9 processor, which allows not only to make the interface work at lightning speed, but also to demonstrate excellent performance in games with increased graphics quality. Traditional strong point Apple iPhone line camera has also been redesigned, and now the main iSight camera is represented by a 12-megapixel sensor, with the ability to record 4K video. The Apple iPhone 6s case is made of durable 7000-grade aluminum. The average price of Apple iPhone 6s is 57,800 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 8th place

The design of the smartphone attracts with a monolithic metal body. The original decision of the Chinese engineers was to change the Home button - the banal round sensor button became oval. The rear camera is the main highlight of the model. Its resolution is 20.7 megapixels. This high resolution of the Meizu MX5 smartphone is provided by the new generation Sony Exmor RS IMX230 photosensor. Its uniqueness lies in its laser autofocus technology, which allows you to take photographs even while moving. The screen of the new smartphone is 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 Full-HD and a density of 401 ppi, which undoubtedly ensures high image clarity, since pixels will not be visible when it is brought closer together. The safety of the Meizu MX5 screen is guaranteed by Gorilla Glass 3 - it protects the display as much as possible from damage. The smartphone runs on a 64-bit MediaTek Helio X10 processor with 8 cores and a frequency of 2.2 GHz. The video card in the PowerVR G6200 device has a 64-unified pipeline and a GPU frequency of 700 MHz. The battery has become a little more powerful, its capacity (3150 mAh) allows you to intensively use the smartphone for quite a long time. The operating system has been updated to version 5.0 Lollipop. The average price of Meizu MX5 is 25,400 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 7th place

Everything here is quite modern: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 platform, 2 GB of RAM (there is also a KIW-AL10 version with 3 GB), 16 GB of flash memory expandable via a microSD card. The seriousness of the Huawei Honor 5X's claims is confirmed both by the materials - the front panel is covered with glass, the back is made of metal with plastic inserts on top and bottom - and by the choice of colors. Narrow frames around the screen allow the device with a 5.5-inch screen, LCD display with IPS matrix and Full HD resolution, not to turn into a monster that does not fit into any pocket. A characteristic feature of the Huawei Honor 5X smartphone is its fairly powerful and well-placed speakers. It is impossible to block them by placing the gadget on its “back” - the call can still be heard. The average price of Huawei Honor 5X is 16,990 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 6th place

The main feature of ASUS ZenFone 2 is its neat design, which houses a sufficient number of functions. Built-in ASUS TruVivid technology guarantees rich and dynamic images on the screen. The main camera with Real Tone flash and 13 MP resolution is equipped innovative technology PixelMaster. As for the front 5-megapixel camera, you can simultaneously edit the picture while shooting, and the panoramic self-portrait function will allow you to take a panorama image with the optimal viewing angle. Productive operation of ASUS ZenFone 2, whose dimensions are 15.25 cm high, 7.72 cm wide and 1.09 cm deep, is guaranteed by the operating system Android Mobile Technology Platform 5.0 (Lollipop), which copes with this very efficiently. 4-core Intel processor Atom Z3560 1.8 GHz + GPU PowerVR G6430 quickly synchronizes the work of all applications, thanks to RAM - 2048 MB, built-in memory is 16 GB, and by installing a memory card it can be increased to 64 GB. Long uninterrupted operation in offline mode guaranteed by a 3000 mAh battery. We must admit that the price of the ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphone is acceptable, so the device is worth buying. The average price in Russia for ASUS ZenFone 2 is 19,620 rubles, and in GearBest the price as of January 20, 2017 is 13,919 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 5th place

The Lenovo P90 Pro smartphone comes with a stunning 5.5-inch Full HD display. The P90 Pro quad-core processor is the perfect combination of extreme performance and energy efficiency. Lenovo P90 Pro lasts a really long time. This is a fully functional smartphone that does not require constant recharging - the 4000 mAh battery provides up to 45 hours of talk time and up to 27.5 hours of active standby time. Effortlessly capture all of life's exciting moments at any time of the day or night with the excellent 13-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and 5-megapixel front camera. The range of built-in Lenovo DOit applications on your device gives you a wide range of possibilities. The P90 Pro smartphone supports high-speed LTE (4G) data networks. The P90 Pro is equipped with a large storage capacity, which is enough to save many photos and videos. operating room Android system™ 4.4 delivers unparalleled performance with memory optimizations and improved touchscreen responsiveness. Average Lenovo price P90 Pro - 16,000 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 4th place

Thanks to its non-separable body, the Redmi Note 3 Pro smartphone feels like a monolithic device; it is almost impossible to get creaks or play from individual elements from it. The smartphone uses a 5.5-inch diagonal IPS screen with a resolution of 1080×1920 pixels; the matrix is covered by protective glass with an oleophobic coating. The display shows a fairly high-quality image, with good viewing angles and natural colors. One of the main differences between Note 3 Pro and Note 3 is the new Snapdragon 650 chipset using a 64-bit six-core processor, the Adreno 510 GPU is responsible for video processing. The device runs Android 5.1.1 OS, complemented by the proprietary MIUI 7.1 shell. The firmware here is global, all interface languages and Google services. Redmi Note 3 Pro is a dual-SIM device, but the slot is designed for one Micro-SIM and one Nano-SIM (instead of which you can use a microSD memory card). There is only one radio module; both SIM cards can operate in 3G and 4G networks. Redmi Note 3 Pro has a non-removable 4000 mAh battery. The main camera received 16 megapixels. The average price of Redmi Note 3 Pro is 11,290 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking, the best smartphone of 2016 takes 3rd place

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is the world's first smartphone with a 4K display. The fifth-generation flagship from Sony received an IPS Triluminos display with a resolution of 3840x2160, which, combined with a 5.5-inch screen diagonal, gives an incredible pixel density of 806 ppi. To live up to its name in terms of performance, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 system-on-chip, enhanced graphics core Adreno 430. Memory management in the smartphone is implemented as befits a top-end device of 2015: 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, as well as the ability to expand the latter using microSD memory cards. The body of the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium also corresponds to the “Premium” prefix and is made of glass and metal. With the smartphone, Sony has set a new benchmark for photographic capabilities in smartphones. The main camera uses a 23-megapixel sensor with support for 4K recording. The average price of Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is 53,200 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking of the best smartphone of 2016, LG G4 takes 2nd place

The LG G4 smartphone is the company's flagship in 2015. The top smartphone model combines all the advanced solutions and the latest developments of the company in the field of mobile technologies. The most noticeable feature at first glance is the 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1440, which allows for image clarity of 538 dpi. The display is made using IPS technology and, combined with ultra-high resolution, produces a gorgeous image. The LG G4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 system-on-chip, which includes a six-core 2+4 processor with all cores supporting 64-bit computing. The powerful Adreno 418 video core is also responsible for graphics performance. 3GB of RAM will allow you to forget about heavy applications unloaded from memory and allow your smartphone to become truly multitasking. Software features smartphones are presented with the Android 5.1 operating system. LG is actively focusing on the photographic capabilities of the flagship, and here the smartphone has something to brag about. The maximum image resolution is 16 MP, there is also the possibility of optical stabilization and focusing using a laser beam. Selfie lovers will appreciate the 8-megapixel front camera. The average price of LG G4 is 27,250 rubles.

In the TOP 10 ranking of the best smartphone of 2016, Samsung Galaxy S7 takes 1st place

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge - evolutionary update flagship smartphone with curved display. In the 2016 generation, the smartphone received an updated system on a chip, now it is an eight-core top-end processor from Samsung - Exynos 8890, made using a 14 nm process technology. The latter feature should have a positive effect on heating and energy consumption. The amount of RAM has increased to 4 GB, and the device has received a slot for a memory card; in some markets it can be combined with a second slot for a SIM card. Photographic abilities have also been improved, the smartphone has new module cameras with a resolution of 12 MP and f/1.7 aperture. Newest operating system Android 6.0. Fast wireless charging and fully waterproof. The average price of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is 52,950 rubles.

In December, it is customary to compile various ratings and remember the most significant events of the last twelve months. We have not forgotten about this tradition and decided to collect in one large material the 28 best smartphones that appeared on the market this year.

Apple iPhone 7: the new market leader

Each new development from Apple causes a huge stir and collects millions of orders. This happened with the iPhone 7.

I received the device new option The body color is “black onyx”, as well as protection from moisture and dust according to the IP67 standard, but it has lost the usual audio jack. The 4.7-inch Retina HD display perfectly captures the smallest image details and colors, the quad-core Apple A10 Fusion chipset breaks all possible performance records, and iOS versions 10.1 leaves only a pleasant impression of the smoothness and speed of operation.

The smartphone is sold in five color variations and has modifications with 32, 128 and 256 GB of internal memory. Don't forget about the 12-megapixel main and 7-megapixel front cameras, new stereo speakers and good battery life - about 14 hours of talk time and 40 hours of music playback.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus: increased dimensions, display and dual camera

The advanced version of Apple's latest flagship is 20 mm taller, 11 mm wider and 50 grams heavier than the regular Seven. The smartphone is equipped with a screen with a larger diagonal (5.5 versus 4.7 inches) and has a higher resolution (1080x1920 versus 750x1334 pixels).

The Apple A10 chipset is also responsible for the performance of the iPhone 7 Plus, but the device works a little faster than the base model due to the difference in the amount of RAM (3 versus 2 GB).

In the version with the Plus prefix, in addition to the main rear camera, a second one is installed, which makes it possible to double the focal length of the frame due to optical zoom rather than digital zoom. As a result, you can photograph distant objects without loss of quality. Another difference between the devices is the battery capacity. Under the body of the larger version of the flagship is a 2,900 mAh battery, which is almost 1,000 mAh more than the regular iPhone 7.

ASUS ZenFone 3: big changes for the better

ASUS ZenFone 3 – the third generation device of the ZenFone line turned out to be balanced in terms of capabilities and characteristics, attractive in appearance and quite competitive in terms of cost.

For the manufacture of the case, ASUS specialists chose metal and glass. The device has a curious, but at the same time carefully thought out arrangement of all functional elements; the thickness of the case is 7.69 mm. One cannot help but praise the solid build, 5.5-inch S-IPS screen, battery life and good performance. The pride of the device is a 16-megapixel camera based on the Sony IMX298 sensor with a powerful focusing system.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Max: budget version in metallic garb

ZenFone 3 Max is positioned by the Taiwanese manufacturer as an inexpensive, but versatile and, importantly, durable device: it has a 4,100 mAh battery. The model boasts a nice design, a metal body, smooth and uninterrupted operation of the proprietary ZenUI 3.0 firmware, which is based on the sixth version of the Android OS.

The smartphone, depending on the modification (there are two of them), has the power of a quad-core (MediaTek MT6737T) or eight-core (Snapdragon 430) processor, comes with 2 or 3 GB of RAM and 16 or 32 GB of permanent memory.

LG K10 LTE: a good budget phone for selfie lovers

When working on the K10 LTE, LG focused on camera capabilities. First of all, this applies to the 5-megapixel front camera: you can start a three-second countdown before taking a photo with one hand gesture and use the display as an artificial flash. And to focus and take a picture on the 13-megapixel main camera, just one touch on the display is enough.

The device is equipped with a 2,300 mAh battery, an eight-core MT6735 processor, 16 GB of internal memory and 1.5 GB of RAM. The front panel is occupied by a 5.3-inch screen. The OS is Android 6.0.

LG X power: durable and compact

The key feature of this smartphone is clear from the name: thanks to a 4,100 mAh battery, the device can withstand two days of work away from a power outlet. Even when the battery icon lights up red and the battery asks to eat, the device can last another 2-3 hours. In addition, LG X power supports the fast charging function: the battery spends about half the time to restore its 100% capacity than the battery of a modern average smartphone.

LG specialists must be given credit for a great feat: they managed to place such a battery in a case with a thickness of only 7.9 mm. And in general the design turned out to be very interesting. A nice bonus is selfie: the front camera is able to recognize a face in the frame and immediately take a photo.

LG X cam: two rear cameras for 18 thousand rubles

2016 turned out to be a productive year for the South Korean brand: the company’s third smartphone, LG X cam, entered our chart not by chance and not in company with the two mentioned above. It stands out from its competitors with a dual camera: one with a wide-angle lens (viewing angle is 120 degrees), and the second, 13-megapixel, provides particularly high quality images. In this case, the panoramic shooting mode and the “Framed Photo” effect (both lenses are used) will be really useful.

The smartphone is sold in two color options (“titanium” and “gold”), has a 5.2-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, offers the owner the power of an eight-core MediaTek processor and 2 GB of RAM. 16 GB is available for data storage, there is a slot for a memory card. And the LG X cam weighs only 120 grams.

Xiaomi Redmi 3 S: durable, metal, inexpensive

Xiaomi Redmi 3 S is available in two versions: with 2/16 GB (cheaper) and with 3/32 GB (more expensive). The device belongs to the budget price category, and therefore it is especially pleasant to see in it a fingerprint scanner and an infrared port for control household appliances and support for OTG technology.

The body of the smartphone is made of aluminum, with the only exception being two plastic inserts on the back. The front panel of the Redmi 3 S is occupied by a 5-inch diagonal IPS display, and the phone’s performance is driven by the Snapdragon 430 chipset, the architecture of which includes two clusters of four Cortex-A53 cores. Perhaps the strongest point of this model is its autonomy, which is provided by a 4,100 mAh battery.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: a sleek phablet with impressive features

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is one of the most sensational smartphones on the Russian market this year. Primarily due to the ratio of price, capabilities and characteristics.

The front panel of the device, the body of which is made of aircraft aluminum, is almost entirely occupied by a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. At the back there is a 16-megapixel camera equipped with phase detection autofocus (activated in 0.1 seconds) and dual LED flash. Below is a fingerprint sensor that is easy to find on the first try and allows you to reliably protect any information that is important to you.

The device does not experience any performance problems: it is equipped with a six-core Snapdragon 650 chipset and 3 GB of RAM. 32 GB is available for data storage and there is a slot for a microSD card. What about the OS? The proprietary MIUI 7 shell is used on Android based 5.1 Lollipop.

Xiaomi Mi5: a competitive representative of the middle class

An equally interesting exhibit from the same brand – Xiaomi Mi5 – is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz, has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory.

The device looks very impressive: a harmonious combination of metal and tempered glass, neatly rounded edges, thin frames around the edges of the display, a case thickness of 7.25 mm and only 129 grams of weight. The latter is especially valuable considering the 5.15-inch Full HD screen and 3,000 mAh battery. In addition, Mi5 supports Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology.

Meizu Pro 6: a serious competitor to market leaders

The new flagship Meizu Pro 6 from the growing Chinese manufacturer is able to compete with the advanced models of market leaders. And its main advantage is its modest price (28 thousand rubles for the 32 GB version and 36 thousand rubles for the 64 GB version).

What to pay for? For the undoubtedly flagship, very solid design with barely noticeable frames on the sides of the display. For an all-metal body. For a 5.2-inch screen based on a Super AMOLED matrix from Samsung. For a carefully crafted sound. For a 21-megapixel camera with a 10-LED ring flash. For the powerful and energy-efficient 10-core Helio X25 processor, the structure of which includes three clusters. And this is not the whole list of points for.

The only thing I can somehow complain about is the lack of a slot for a memory card.

Meizu U20: an interesting device in glass

Announced in August this year, the Meizu U20 phablet is clad in 2.5D glass on both sides. The glass panels are connected by a metal frame. A 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels, based on an S-IPS matrix, is installed. There is a fingerprint scanner on the front panel that responds to touch in 0.2 seconds. It is built right into the central touch-mechanical key - this is a proprietary Meizu feature.

We note an eight-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz, up to 3 GB of RAM (depending on version) and 16 or 32 GB of permanent memory. Meizu U20 runs Flyme 5.0 launcher, under which Android 5.1 Lollipop is hidden. Long time Work without recharging will be provided by a battery with a capacity of 3,260 mAh.

Meizu M3 Note: durable and properly balanced

Each new product of 2016 from Meizu shows a competent balance between all components. Key Feature The Meizu M3 Note model has a 4,100 mAh battery, which can provide the smartphone with about two days of life without recharging. But other components did not disappoint.

The M3 Note's Helio P10 chipset automatically adjusts clock frequency cores and graphics accelerator, trying to either reduce power consumption to the maximum, or, conversely, use all the power to complete a complex task. The processor is supported by 3 GB of RAM, for data storage there is 32 GB and a slot for a microSD card.

We also note a 13-megapixel camera with phase detection autofocus and a two-color flash, a 5.5-inch Full HD display and an mTouch 2.1 fingerprint sensor.

Sony Xperia XZ Dual: an impressive camera phone

The fact that Sony, when developing this model, tried its best to distance itself from its competitors is noticeable even before turning on the device. The metal body of the phone is protected from moisture and can be painted in one of three stunning shades, and thanks to the design thought out to the smallest detail, the device looks strict, elegant and laconic.

Compared to other sophisticated flagships, the Sony Xperia XZ stands out with its 23-megapixel camera: it is supported by three sensors at once, has laser autofocus, and it is impossible not to note the impeccable color rendition and stabilization system. There are also a lot of modes, filters for post-processing frames, and a 13-megapixel front camera for self-portraits and video calling in addition.

Sony Xperia XA Dual: frameless, stylish and ergonomic

The Sony Xperia XA Dual model belongs to the middle price category, and the main thing about it is the absence of frames on the sides of the display and a more than fair price for the existing hardware. The 5-inch display pleases with the depth of black color, viewing angles and contrast. The youngest representative of the Xperia X line weighs only 138.8 grams, it lies securely in the hand, and you will have to try hard to drop it.

One full charge of the 2,300 mAh battery will provide about two days of intense work. We also pay attention to the hardware: Helio P10 processor with a frequency of up to 2 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, Mali-T860 MP2 graphics. Such equipment is more often found in more expensive devices.

Moto Z: a modular smartphone with flagship equipment

A distinctive feature of Moto Z is its unique modular design, which allows you to connect a stereo speaker, decorative cover, external battery, microphone, camera and even a projector to the rear panel of the device through a special contact area.

The smartphone has a very thin body (5.19 mm), 13-megapixel main and 5-megapixel front cameras, a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels and good hardware led by the Snapdragon 820 processor.

Moto Z Play: younger, but also interesting

The appearance of this model was announced in September. Same as with basic version, various modules can be docked with Moto Z Play. But how do the devices differ?

The younger version received a more capacious battery (3,510 versus 2,600 mAh), a side effect - the thickness of the case increased to 7 mm and the weight increased from 136 to 165 grams. The main camera here is cooler than in a simple Moto Z (16 megapixels), but the screen and hardware are slightly weaker: the 5.5-inch display has a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels, and the Snapdragon 625 chipset is responsible for computing processes. The device has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of memory for data storage, as well as a slot for a memory card. Both devices use Android 6.0 as the OS.

Huawei Honor 8: spectacular design and dual camera

I tried to keep up with competitors and Huawei. Although Honor 8 was placed in the middle price category, many of its features were transferred from the flagship Huawei P9. Durable and reliable metal frame, 3,000 mAh battery, high-performance eight-core Kirin 950 processor and 4 GB of RAM. But the main thing is the dual camera (both have a 12-megapixel Sony sensor) with laser and contrast autofocus and dual LED flash.

Huawei Honor 5C: inexpensive and versatile

The device received high-quality equipment, which allowed it to successfully compete in the market with no less interesting models. The model is equipped with a powerful, yet energy-efficient Kirin 650 chipset, which includes two clusters of four cores. A solid operating time is ensured by a 3,000 mAh battery, and as a bonus, proprietary energy-saving technology.

We can’t help but mention the metal case that houses the Honor 5C, the 5.2-inch S-IPS display, and the relatively small dimensions and weight (156 grams) of the device. We also note an 8-megapixel front camera and a stereo speaker that provides surround sound.

Huawei nova: great shooting capabilities

Huawei nova is pleasant to hold in the palm of your hand. This is a compact, elegant device with smooth shapes and curves in a magnesium-aluminum alloy body.

The main emphasis is on the cameras. The main one, 12-megapixel, is able to quickly and correctly focus on the selected object (two systems work at once: phase and contrast), record video in 4K format, and the front camera will be appreciated by all selfie lovers for the useful technologies of “beautification” of the resulting self-portraits and a convenient function Touch shooting.

Alcatel Idol 4S: youth smartphone with a unique key

The release of this unusual device – Alcatel IDOL 4S – was announced at the beginning of the year. Alcatel decided to conquer the youth segment with a cool design, clear and high-quality sound, as well as a surprise in the form of a special Boom key, which is located strictly in the center of the right side.

You can assign one of several functions to the button: a snapshot even when the display is off, burst shooting (10 photos), displaying an animation notifying about the current weather situation, a significant and instant increase in volume, starting an online broadcast, and even acceleration in a racing simulator. This is what true versatility means.

Alcatel PIXI 4 (5): for undemanding users

The budget Alcatel PIXI 4 (5) 5010D is suitable for solving simple tasks: web surfing, watching videos, reading, communication, working with undemanding software. Such devices, in our opinion, always have a place.